diff --git a/adafruit_matrixportal/matrixportal.py b/adafruit_matrixportal/matrixportal.py
index 8d357f7..0b86d99 100755
--- a/adafruit_matrixportal/matrixportal.py
+++ b/adafruit_matrixportal/matrixportal.py
@@ -201,6 +201,7 @@ def add_text(
 
         if scrolling and self._scrolling_index is None:  # Not initialized yet
             self._scrolling_index = self._get_next_scrollable_text_index()
+        return len(self._text) - 1
 
     # pylint: enable=too-many-arguments